Université Catholique de l’Ouest and the Université de Bretagne-Sud have partnered with suppliers and finished product manufacturers to establish U’cosmetics, a cosmetic formulating competition.

The French competition reportedly is the only one of its kind aimed at student cosmetic formulation and innovation. The competition will award three prizes: one for the development of a marine cosmetic, one for a natural product, and one for an innovative concept cosmetic.

Nearly 30 teams entered the competition, and on Feb. 12, 2010, the finalists were chosen by a jury comprised of judges from Biotech Marine, ABC Texture, ARD Soliance, Algologie, CEVA, Lessonia, CBB Developpement, the Université de Tours, the Université de Vannes and the Université de Guingamp.

The three finalists in the marine cosmetic category included:

Crème teintée U'beauty (UBS);

Trois petits pois liftants (UCO); and

Douceur calîne (UCO)

The three in the natural cosmetic category were:

Ocean protect (ISIPCA);

Effet mer (Montpellier 1); and

Algosoapia (Tours)

And the four finalists for the concept cosmetic included:

Sparu-line (Montpellier 1);

Ho'nuts (Montpellier 1);

Perle fondante (Montpellier 1); and

Orphi (Rennes 1)

A separate jury will chose the winner for each category, to be announced on March 25, 2010, at the U'cosmetics Symposium in Guingamp, France. This symposium will allow all teams to present their members and innovations. In addition, presentations on the regulation of natural and organic personal care products will be featured.